Lashkar-e-Taiba members attended the funeral of Shahid Akhtar, the elder brother of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, in Islamabad [1].

The appearance of high-ranking militants at a public gathering in the capital underscores ongoing concerns regarding the ability of designated terrorists to operate openly within Pakistan. This visibility suggests a level of freedom of movement that contradicts international pressure on the country to dismantle militant infrastructure.

The funeral took place on June 24, 2026 [4]. Among the attendees were Saifullah Kasuri, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Talha Saeed, the son of Hafiz Saeed [1], [2], [3]. Reports indicate that Kasuri is linked to the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack [1], [2].

Additional attendees included Inam ur Rehman Kamboh, the PMML Islamabad President [1]. The gathering of these figures at the service for Shahid Akhtar has drawn international attention to the intersection of sports figures and militant leadership in the region.

Lashkar-e-Taiba is a designated terrorist organization known for its activities in South Asia. The presence of its leadership at a prominent funeral in Islamabad highlights the persistent challenge of monitoring and restricting the movements of high-value targets within the country.

Observers said that the public nature of the event allowed for the identification of these individuals. The ease with which these members attended the ceremony serves as a focal point for critics who argue that Pakistan provides a safe haven for militants [1].

“Lashkar-e-Taiba members attended the funeral of Shahid Akhtar”

The open attendance of LeT leadership at a high-profile funeral in Islamabad indicates a significant gap between Pakistan's official counter-terrorism rhetoric and the operational reality on the ground. When figures like Saifullah Kasuri and Talha Saeed appear in public without interference, it signals to the international community that the state may be unable or unwilling to enforce restrictions on designated terrorists.